Weeds…. again!
At the end of June last year (2024), I wrote a blog post entitled 5 Tips for Weeding a Garden. I had been gone for nearly two weeks on a mission trip only to return home to a garden full of weeds. I eventually got the garden cleaned out last summer and was able to enjoy it for several weeks. This year, the extended cool weather of Spring has helped me get a good start on preparing my garden for the start of summer. So many of the perennials that I planted last Spring are mature plants and blooming or getting ready to bloom. I am in for a treat this summer and thank God every day for blessing me with the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of nature. I can’t help but sing out Psalms such as….
“ All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name.
Selah”
As I was weeding this past week, I thought about the post I wrote last year; how I related weeds to the sins in our lives. Just about that time I was yanking on a fairly large dandelion growing between some sandstone steps that lead up to our fire pit. It wouldn’t budge, but I was determined to get the roots in hopes it wouldn’t return. I firmly grasped the root at the base, slowly wiggled it, and then pulled straight up. Low and behold, all the roots came with the weed. Of course, it caused me to fall backward from which I am sure all of God’s creation got a good laugh.
As I sat there, I looked at the weed in my hands and marveled at just how long the roots were. They were nearly 12 inches long which was why it was so hard to get the dandelion pulled out. One of the tips in 5 Tips for Weeding a Garden is what to do when you’re faced with a deep-rooted weed…..
“Get help for deep-rooted weeds! When a weed has roots that go deep into the ground, oftentimes the gardener needs to use a tool to help get below the surface. This allows her to get leverage under the root for a better chance at pulling it out. The Christian has many tools available to eliminate ‘weeds’ include the Bible, prayer, the pastor at your church, the women’s fellowship group, worship services, and more. If you struggle with a deep-rooted weed that is going to take a long time to pull out of your life, you may consider asking a mature Christian to be your mentor and support.”
Every year these weeds keep coming up in my garden, and every year I pull them up. One thing is for certain, though, this one particular weed is gone!! Our lives are also filled with sin that we never seem to completely eliminate just like the weeds in a garden. But there is hope in Jesus when we use the tools that God has given us as mentioned above.
What is a weed (sin) in your life right now that has roots that go down deep and hold the weed tight in the dirt? Perhaps it is a bad habit that you have struggled with for years that you know you should quit. Maybe it is a good habit that you know you should be doing but instead find one excuse after another to avoid it. Evaluate your garden, gather the tools you will need, find the weeds, and start pulling!! And above all else, never hesitate to consult the Master Gardener for help.
